Controlling mechanism for electric vehicles and the like



June 5, 1923. 1,457,759 P. E. TWISS CONTROLLING MECHANISM FOR ELECTRIC VEHICLES AND THE LIKE Filed April 4, 1921 "Il isulllynl Inventor 1 Paul E.Twss

bag/bm Patented June 5, 1923.

f UNITED STATES PATENrfOFFicE-gi PAUL E. TwISS, or swAMrSCOTT, MASSACHUSETTS, ASSIGNOR To GENERAL ELECTRIC v COMPANY, A CORPORATION or NEW YORK., f y r CONTROLLING IVIECHA'NISM EOR ELECTRIC VEHICLES AND THE LIKE Application mea April '4, 1921. serial No. 458,321.

To all whom t may concern: d

Be it known that I, PAUL E. Twrss, a citizen of the United States, residing `at Swampscott, in the county of Essex, State of Massachusetts, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in. GontrollingMechanism for Electric Vehicles andthe like, of which the following is a specification.

The invention relates to electrically driven- 170 motor vehiclesv and the like, and particularlyto those which are propelled by means of energy derived from storage Lbatteries or other source of power carried on the vehicle.

Controllers are ordinarily provided for controlling the vehicle driving motors, and with the controllers-are associated switches which cutoif the power to the motors. It is desirable Vfor reasons well-understood'to disconnect `the driving-motors from thevsource of supply when the vehicle brakes are apy plied, and it is also desirable to prevent t e application-of power to the motors upon release of the brake until the controller is `re turned to the oif position. 1 My invention relates to animproved arrangement whereby when the vehicle brakes areapplied the motor cut-out switch is oper-.

ated, and whereby the motor controller must be -returned to the off-position before the cutout switch can be closed by the release of the brakes. i

For a better understanding of my invenv tion, reference is had to-thefaccompanying drawings, wherein Fig.v 1 is a front view of my improved control arrangement with the front cover of the controller removed Fig. 2

is a side view of the controller; 3 is an end view-of the controller showing' the various interlocking features between. the con- 0 troller, the l'motori cut-out switch and Athe brake rod; Fig. 4 is asimplified4 figure showingthe lpositionofthe various parts of the interlocking mechanism when the brakes are 1 applied, the cut-out switch is open` and the controlleris in theof-position;v Fig. ,5 is a similar .view .showing ythe manner in which the cut-out switch is closedfuponthe,releasel of the brakes when the controller is` in the j olf-position; and Fig. 6 is afsimilar View vShowing the position of the various .parts when the` vehicle brakes are. applied andthe controller isina running position VReferring to the drawings, the controller comprises a casingtlO within which is suitably mounted a shaft 11 on Vwhich various motor circuit controlling contacts are mounted, and the shaft 11 is operatedby means of the controller handle 12 which secured thereto. The cut-out switch 13 provided for opening up the connection from the source of supply to the vehicle motor or motors -is i mounted `on the hollow shaft 14 which in turn is mounted on the'extension of shaft 11 so as to have relative rotation-with respectv thereto. The lower end of the shaft 11 and the shaft 14 are journaled in a support15. secured in the bottom of the casing.10.` Secured tothe shaft .14 forthe purpose of loperating the Switchl 13 is a switchmember 16 which is `disposed on the "outside vof rthe casing10. L l The operating means for the' member,1 comprises the rotatable member 17 `which is disposedon Vthe shaftf14' soas to.have relative. movement withA res" ect to the switch 13 and the operating.V mem er 16., and which is adapted to be connected to or operated synchronouslywith the brake rodwhich'applies the vehicles brakes. The member 17 carries a pivoted dog or pawl 18 which isadaptedA to'be moved out of engagement with the", member 16 by means ofthe spring 19;,that

is,'the pawl 18 is normally biased toa posi-;`

tion by means ofthe spring 19 atWhCh the' mber'17 is-broken for Ireturning p y connection between the member 16 .andthe operatingine a l the switch vmember, 13 to circuit closedposition when thecontroller handle 1 2 is ,in'any 1 operative position. The camy 201s provided for vmoving lthe pawl l18 into engagement with the memberfl when the controller `is in an olf position so that when the ,brakes `are released the connection Abetween the-operat-- Y ingmember 17 and the member 16 is estab- '55 lished and the switch 13 will be closed@A This cam 20is mounted onthe shaft 21. which has secured ythereto'rv at itsupperend a cain- 2 2 whieh cooperates with vthe l star wheel3y23. secured :to'fthe shaft 11 in such ya manner that whenthecontrolleris man o ifvpositioni the cam 2 0. is inthe position shown in Figs.

5, andfwhenthe e controllerv is in an 3,l 4 and positionthecam 20y is v1n the posioperative tion shown in Fig. 6 at which thepawl 18 is. biased out lof engagement with the ymember y16,. sof that when the brakes are released the' Y los return oftheoperating member 17 will causefy the kicked-ur aisle e vimlaam1fmema1- j projection 25.011 the operating member.A

17 engages the member 16-to inove the cutout-switch to the open position when the brakes are -applied". The cut-out switch is.

opened quickly by means oi the spring 26 which has one of its ends secured to the controller' casing and the other end secured to post 27 connected to the switchy member 16. The arrangement is suoli that when the switch member 16 has been moved a certain angulardistanee by the projection on the operating member 17, the switch member is moved over center and willbe rotated clockwise'quickly to yits inal open position by means 'of thespring26.V A quick` action Switch of very simple construction is thereby provided. The ,stop `28 secured to the casing 1Q is provided Jfor :limiting the travel ofthe switch member 16 in the yopen position. A spring 29j, =having one ofits ends connected to a post o n l.the 'left hand'en'd of the strap 30 and its right-'hand end vconnected to the shaft 21, 'is provided for flexibly mounting a the pawl. A l

provide a certain flexibility which is desir-v with the the shaft 21. This shaft passes through an aperture in the righthand lend of the strap 3l) v'and' also through an l,aperture in the bot? tom the' switch casing. These apertures are l.made slightly llarger than the diameter` of the shaft in order to provide a clearance for the pawl'lSto pass thepoint of cam 20 at the time the'latter is' opposite the pivot of VThe'felearzuice` and the s. ring 29 able to allowthereturn of the pawl Without producing any undue stresses on the mechamsm.

y,Ars thus constructed and arranged, and

in Figs.' is depressed the operating member 17 is rotated clockwise until `the projection 25 en- ,gages the switch member v1G. A continuatin .of movement throws y e the lpost27 oil CQDGF 'Wlllll respect to the shaft 14 and the lower @Hd Of the spring 2 6 so that these/itch nieirifber lnll be rotated quickly to its final.

., openfposition, .thereby lopening the switch 13 quickly. a'

l y It will be understoodthat the clockwise rotation of the' operatingfinembei carries with it the pawl or pivoted dog 18 so that` when lthe bra-kes t'io'iioffftlhert'fakrious'l parts will be as shown in el Assui'ne now Vthat the'controller han?v die 12 has been returned -to th'eoff-position,l

2i ae p'os'itlo"A shown on Fig. 4. jThe rotation of l thefstar'wheel23 will'ibe rotated to'such a positinthat the cain`22 will rotate the shaft.

with it the'eam 2(3"clockwise'te` th memberv ,to the open position is ar-l ineans of vtli'erstop128 ysecured tothe casing '10. AWhen the `brakesaie released the parts in the ,various positions shown 1,2 and 3, when the "brake pedal 31V are lapplied the lposi-v .then be as 'shown'in'Figs 1,52Land13. Fig. 5

shows the relation of the various parts when the operating member 17 has been rotated counter-clockwise tothe position at which the pawl 1S engages the ,switchv member 16 and has rotated the switch ,member'a small angular distance ytrf v\7,z1',i"d the closed position.

Assume that the brakes are applied with thejcontroller in an -operative or runni-ngpm sition.1 The Ciani 2O willbe moved ,outoiengagement with'the upper end of the pawl 1 8, and this pawl will be permitted to assume the position shown ,in Fig v6. the `brakes are now released, the -kicked-up end Qlfof the pawlr will pass yby the vswitchmember 126 and the switchnl' will remain opened. order yto return the'ls'witeh 13 tothe closed` position it' will be necessary to return lthe controller handle 12' to the oi-posit1on therebyfrotating the'cam 20 and niojvinig'they upper end or' the pawl 18 against the bias of the spring 19, so'that when the operating member 17 is returned upon the release of the brakes', a vconnection between the operating member 17 and the'switch member 1 6 vis y estab-lished for Vreturning the lswitch 1B/tio the closed'po'sition, as explained connections with Figs. 4 and l y It wrillfbe-.observed'by those skilled in the art that ymy inventioi'i has'features of sim'- plicity 'ofl construction and reliability of roperation which render it eiffectiyefor the-servv` ice to which apparatus of this nature is or-` dinarily subjected( In accordance with the provisions of the patent statu-tes, I have described the principle of voperation of Amy invention, together with the apparatus which now consider to represent the *best Aeinbodiment thereof; but I desire to 'have it understood that the apparatus shown is only illustrative, 'and that the inventioiieaii be carried out by other means.

What I claim as new and rdesire to seen-re by 1. AThe combination with a motor con' troller of af switch movable" Withreswect thereto Vfor"controlli-ing' thelmotor, a ybraike* rod for'meclianical'ly operating the" switch operative fiirreturnin'g ,the aswitch to the operative 'position unless the control-ler is in :a predetermined position.`

troller of Vafsvviteh movable respect thereto forgeontrpll-if'iig the motor', a' brake ,r'd for Aniechan'ically operating thet swatch 2. rIhe combination with a" motor -conlLettersy Patent'ofthe I'United States, l

from and to an operative position, and mechanical connections between the brake rod, the switch and the controller wherebythe brake rod is rendered inoperative in returning the switchto the operative position unless thek controller is in a predetermined position.

3. The combination with a motor controller of a normally closed switch in the motor circuit, operating means therefor, a brake rod, and connections between `the brake rod and the operating means comprising a rotary member which engages with the operating means to open the switch .when the brake'is applied, a pivoted dog carried by the rotaryjmemberwhich engages the operating means to return the switch tov closed position, and means whereby the said dog is rendered ineffective, in case the motor controller is in any operative position."

4. The combination with,` ay motor controller of a switch. for controlling the motor, a brake, means adapted to connect the switch and the brake comprising a member adapted to be operated with the brake for-operating the switch in one direction, the said membercarrying a movable part biased out of operative relation `with the switch for returning the switch to the originaliposition upon the release of the brake, and` means operated by the controller for moving the said part againstits bias into operative re`y lation with the switch only when the controller is in the off-position.

5. The combination `with a motor controller of a switch movable with respect thereto for controllingthemotor, a brake rod, operating means for 'the switch controlled by the brake rod and having relative movement with respect to the switch for moving the switch from and to an operative position, and connections between the switch rod, the operating means and the controller whereby the brake'rod is rendered inoperative in returning the switclito the operative position in case thev controller is in any position but the off-position. o

6. The combination with a motor conti'ollci of a normally controlled switch in the motor circuit, operating means for the switch arranged to open the switch quickly when moved past a dead center position, a

brake rod, cooperating with the operating" soif" 7. Thecombination with a-motor conrtroller having a vshaft carryingfmotor con-y trolling contact mechanism, a-:normally closed switch in the motor circuit on the ysaidfshaft movable with respect to the shaft,

operating meaiisfor the switch on the said i'.

shaft movable with respect to the switch, a brake rod connected Lto the operatingmeans for opening the switch whenthel brakes are applied, apivoted member'carried by the operating means biased out' of operative relation with the switch for closing the switch responsively to the release of the brakes,

and means wherebythe said pivoted member is moved into operative relation .with the switch only whenl ther controller is in the off position. Y

8. The combination withv a motor kcon# i troller having a shaft carrying motorvcon'- trol contact mechanism, a normally closed switch in the motor circuit on .the said. shaft movableV with respect tothe shaft,-operating means for the switch onthe said shaft movable with yrespect to the switch, a' spring for opening the switchk quickly when the` switch y is moved past adead center position, a brake rod connected to' the operating meansv for opening the switch when the brakes are ap-y i plied, a pivoted dog carried by theoperating means for closing the switch respons-- ively to the release of the brakes, aspring for vbiasing the said dog out of operativeI relation with the switch, anda cam operated by the controller only in the ofi position of the controller ,for moving the'V said dog 'into operative relation withthe switch, whereby the switch is. closed by the operation'of the brake rod only when the controller is in the 4' off position. 4 v

In witness whereof, I have hereuiitoset my hand this 31st day of March, 1921. l'

PAUL-n. Twiss 

